What happened
On September 7, 2013, an instructor was conducting a local flight in a Czech Sport Aircraft PS-28 Cruiser, registration F-HVPS, at the Chavenay Villepreux aerodrome. The flight was intended to familiarize the pilot with the new aircraft, which the club was considering for its fleet. Following an engine failure practice maneuver, the pilot attempted a touch-and-go maneuver on the unpaved runway 23.
While performing the takeoff roll, the pilot experienced a sudden jolt just before rotation, accompanied by an audible cracking sound. This jolt caused the aircraft to pitch up aggressively. During a subsequent low-altitude pass, air traffic control alerted the pilot to an abnormal position of the nose gear and its fairing. Anticipating a gear collapse, the pilot performed a precautionary landing at a very low airspeed. The nose gear subsequently collapsed upon touchdown.
The investigation
Investigators examined the nose gear assembly and found that the failure was a sudden rupture caused by an overload. No evidence of pre-existing fatigue or prior damage was found on the gear components. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's flight manual specifies much lower takeoff and landing speeds (approximately 40-44 kt for rotation) compared to more conventional aircraft, a factor that requires careful management by pilots transitioning to CS-LSA type aircraft.
Furthermore, the condition of the unpaved runway was examined. The aerodrome's ATIS had reported significant degradation on the runway axis. While the exact source of the impact could not be identified, the investigation considered the possibility that the nose wheel struck an obstacle on the degraded surface.
Findings
- The nose gear failure was caused by a violent impact during the takeoff roll.
- The degraded state of the unpaved runway likely contributed to the impact that overloaded the gear.
- The aircraft's lower operational speeds, characteristic of CS-LSA certified aircraft, require specific pilot awareness to avoid structural damage during ground operations on uneven surfaces.